Humility? The worship leaders are all carefully coached and choreographed on how to appear more worshipful and fake their collective ecstatic elation over being one with their maker. Doing well as opposed to what? I also told him that before I wrote this story, I transcribed his sermon. The question may even be wrong, maybe it isnt what is the church but who is. He can be reached at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO 65806. Sincerely want to know what the alternative is. It was like my eyes were open. But if I had trusted my gut at the time I would have admitted that staff viewing the members as guests is so far outside Body of Christ thinking it should not require an explanation. i think you are addressing the biggest point actually. I arrived a little late here, and this has likely already been mentioned (I havent read all comments). I think that explains a lot of it. Thats why these massive megas arent likely to represent the narrow gate. Do any of you who oppose Driscoll preaching or running a church again, is there a way he could ever get forgiveness from yall to do that sort of ministry again? I hope you dont write off church altogether. (figuratively)) Later he show us all how it was done. Dont get Left Behind. stephen is suffering for doing right. if your a sports fan theres a point of where something amazing is about to happenfootball baseball in the middle of a game changing moment they jump out of their seat. Whats the worst import/export that youve seen? If there are reports of a scandal or problems at a church, they are true. OZARK, Mo. Maybe Driscoll feels a notch above Paul since hes not called for any ones death? Its a measure of arrogance. Well-meaning people are attempting to put Jesus in structures that do not foster the expression of his life in the saints. During this pandemic we have helped thousands of people with food, financial assistance, counsel, and spiritual encouragement. While a decreasing quota meant less pay. stephen is going to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (mark doesnt say that stephen was already filled with the Holy Spirit, the bible doesnt mention stephen being filled at that time at all) pure in heart shall see God. And he cant really do that if he keep holding on to the more sexist, frat boy type of Christianity that Neo Calvinists support that he was espousing at Mars Hill. I met the pastor. "Homosexual activity will lead to destruction. Sovereign Grace Ministries Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. 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Sex abuse inquiry to hear how churches responded to allegations against his father, Frank Houston, and two other men. It was titled "A Biblical Look at Human Sexuality." 20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. sometimes i have hurt people because i have gotten caught up in the excitement of a new orginazation or enterprise but i have never been able to stay that way long, my conscience pricks me until i stop and go back and make things right with people i have hurt. That does not mean you want harm to come to them. elisabeth seton wrote: everything that happened at the cross was prophesied about long before Jesus was crucified, one propesy: Psalm 69:20-21 But forgiveness doesnt mean he should ever be in the same position in a church again. As for my outsider perspective he seems like someone youd want as a pastor if you wanted to get big and have lots of revenue streams. But Peter rebuked him for his motives and told him to repent of his wickedness and told him he was gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.. :o) I would view it like this: If there are reports of a scandal or problems at a church, they are worth investigating with openess and transparancy. They use lots of hair gel and work on their golf tans. "This ordinance reduces freedom of religion to freedom of worship," he said. Some of it probably is. Its just too lucrative of a franchise, you dont want to lose that. I am still finding it hard to believe that Mr. Houston doesnt have access to Google, or some other search engine, in Australia. "The mayor was not in favor of this ordinance," Lindell told his congregation. Thats why I would use a better example: If you knew that someone is a recovering alcoholic, would you employ him as a barkeeper? Something has gone seriously wrong in Mega-Land and it aint just thinking about having MD speak at one of their conferences. I still dont think he understands the harms he has done. Maybe six months from now, therell be another terrible story, and well know that the BSd us. My heart aches for all those whom Mark Driscoll hurt from the Petrys and Meyers to the young and impressionable. My old church Gateway has atmosphere teams in services to emotionally manipulate members and visitors. You sure would think so, but to quote H.L. I have also heard the thoroughly abusive interpretation of Psalm 105:15 touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm. Just some thoughts to consider. I admit that I am rather skeptical of James River's reliability now, most of this information was new to me. Pastors who give Mark Driscoll a platform are adding to the abuse of those of us who were abusively treated by Mars Hill Church. notable pastors have been pouring into his life. I think its much the same thing. But the Pipers, Mohlers, Akins and others saw him as someone really catching the attention of the young guystheir followers. when mercy ministries was investigated at hillsong amazingly the leader Nancy Acorn opened up shop in the u.s. and has many supporters among the christian circuit Rob Smiths orphanage was totally defunded and left broke by Marks Hill, the Lord has taken up for those children, thankfully. Q. At that time, although I led Agathos, I was not taking a salary from Agathos. This weekend GW is also doing Steven Furtick spontaneous baptism which are executed to the letter like Elevation. And then they wonder that people not in their bubble have very little understanding for their version of religion and cry persecution. He diverts attention from the real purpose, the Gospel, to himself. No I wouldnt allow someone who was an embezzler or criminal back in charge, of course not. Not here to argue about this, just pointing it out. Six months for Driscoll does not represent later in life, give him another ten or twenty years. We saw a good deal of quick forgiveness/cheap grace from defenders of TVC. Your mistake is in assuming that Driscoll was there to deliver a sermon. your comments are great. He screamed and swore. Sometimes life circumstances have to kind of help people do the right thing. He. The only two ways that I can think of for having said benchmarks, assuming by leadership you mean pastor(s) and not just chairman of some committee, is either having a system with central authority with established criteria which must be met prior to ordination and some written policies which are grounds for dismissal in certain conditions, That would be a denominational hierarchical system with designated people with authority and with something in writing, like an official book of how we do it. Or else to have a savvy and informed and mature congregation who would agree with and co-operate with each other on what was necessary and what needed done and which would have the actual power (backing of the people) to get it done. I acknowledge that one persons terrorist can be another persons freedom fighter. Unfortunately, during this difficult season, the focus has been taken off of Jesus and put on me, and that is not what The ROC is all about., http://www.richmond.com/news/local/crime/article_8c6b7719-c4af-523b-b3a6-3c6131e32fd3.html. A large percentage of modern evangelical mega-churchianity is beyond comprehenshion. COuld someone explain how its supposed to work without a leader . Blech!! As some are aware, the result of me pleading for a fair trial and arguing for due deliberation when changing bylaws was that Mark Driscoll, in an abusive and vile manner, threatened to destroy me and my ministry. now it seems that it has just gone to big business making a dollar off of Jesus name and some easy to quote scriptures. It does not mean that forgiveness is lacking. I strongly recommend the brief article by Jon Zens at Searching Together entitled Going to the Root Mark Driscoll and the Celebrity System. Even a brief check on MD online will turn up 67 billion pages with examples of his vulgar or obnoxious and bullying behavior, including several blogs by ex Mars Hill members. The virus is having a wonderful time right now spreading through this country, taking advantage of circumstances where people have let their guard go down. What Im curious though is how the church (corporate) can self regulate against that in the face of the money and power, both spiritual and temporal, that types like MD help create. He genuinely seemed to care. I can appreciate that sentiment Gram3 and I applaud it. "Eastview Christian Church pastor, Mike Baker, resigns after son, Caleb Baker, is fired from Central Christian Church for adultery" Why? He set himself up as King of Acts 29 and operated with no accountability at Mars Hill. Yes, I have been witnessing first hand over the years of the Calvinism in the AG. one person, after 6 months finally started to say why they didnt attend gateway anymore and it made me wonder why people dont warn others. Under the circumstances, Mark Driscoll needs a time out, huh? This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Did Paul plagiarize? And i honestly had no idea that that phrase was in there. In October, he resigned as head pastor from Mars Hill, a Seattle megachurch with a Sunday attendance of 13,000. Anyone who knowingly overlooks all this has no judgement. That has made logical sense to me forever. I have heard Driscoll in person.. I know that tens of thousands left GW before I did and they walked away without the decency to help others. So I can see why some churches would want him on board. In 2019, James River reported an average weekly attendance of 19,000,[1]making it one of the ten largest AG churches and one of the largest churches in Missouri (subsequently Springfield). We are believing this 5-day event will change your life! New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.